Distance measurement device

ABSTRACT

A system for determining a distance to a region of interest. The system may be used to adjust focus of a motion picture camera. The system may include a first camera configured to have a first field of view, and a second camera configured to have a second field of view that overlaps at least a portion of the first field of view. The system may include a processor configured to calculate a distance of the selected region of interest relative to a location by comparing a position of the selected region of interest in the first field of view with a position of the selected region of interest in the second field of view.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 14/495,862 filed Sep. 24, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,609,200 issued Mar. 28, 2017, which application is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods fordetermining distances to regions of interest.

BACKGROUND

Determining distance to a region of interest is pertinent for propercamera operation, including properly setting focus of a taking camera.For professional level filming, including filming for motion picturesand television, it is particularly pertinent to properly determine thedistance to regions of interest. A camera assistant may be tasked withdetermining the distance to regions of interest and then setting thefocus of a taking camera based on that distance.

Prior systems, apparatuses, and methods of determining distance to aregion of interest suffer from a series of drawbacks. Systems such asacoustic or infrared measurement devices may not properly identify adesired region of interest, and may not properly track movement of aregion of interest. In addition, prior systems may not allow the desiredregion of interest to be readily visualized.

SUMMARY

The systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein are intended toprovide for improved determination of distance to a region of interest.The determination of distance may be used to properly set the focus of ataking camera.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may include determination of thedistance to a region of interest through use of cameras positioned in astereoscopic orientation. The disparity of the region of interestthrough the view of the two cameras is inversely proportional to thedistance of the region of interest from the cameras. The distance to theregion of interest may be determined based on this disparity.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may allow for tracking movement ofthe region of interest. Embodiments of the present disclosure may allowfor real time calculation of the distance to the region of interest.Embodiments of the present disclosure may allow for multiple regions ofinterest to be tracked simultaneously, and the field of view of eithercamera to be produced on a display.

The systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein enhance the easeof determination of distance to a region of interest, and produceimproved information regarding the distance to the region of interest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the systems, apparatuses, and methods asdisclosed herein will become appreciated as the same become betterunderstood with reference to the specification, claims, and appendeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an apparatus according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.2 with components separate, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.2 with a lid of a housing removed, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of fields of view according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an image of fields of view according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an algorithm according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a region of interest according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a calibration table according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a resolution table according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a resolution graph according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates an image of an apparatus according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates an image of an apparatus according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates an image of an apparatus according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates a top perspective view of an apparatus withcomponents separate, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 17,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 18,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic view of a hardware configuration,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 illustrates a schematic view of wired connections of a system,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates a process map, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates a process to transfer data to and from a cameracontroller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates a process to transfer distance data to a cameracontroller, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system 10 for determining adistance to a region of interest. The system 10 may be used in motionpicture camera applications, to more easily allow a taking camera to befocused on a desired region of interest.

The system 10 may include a camera device 12. The camera device 12 mayinclude two cameras 14, 16 each having a respective field of view. Thesystem 10 may include a control device 18 for selecting a region ofinterest in the field of view of one of the cameras 14, 16. The system10 may include a display device 20 configured to display a distance to aregion of interest calculated by a processor of the system 10.

The system 10 may include a taking camera 22, a display device 24, acamera controller 26, and a display device 28. The taking camera 22 maybe configured to produce an image in a field of view that overlaps thefields of view of the cameras 14, 16. The display device 24 may be inthe form of an overlay device, for overlaying a distance calculated by aprocessor of the system 10 on an image from a taking camera 24. Thecamera controller 26 may be configured to control the operation of thecameras 14, 16. The display device 28 may display an image from thetaking device 22 including an overlay from the overlay device. Elementsof the system 10 may be excluded, or additional elements may be includedto produce a desired result.

The camera device 12 may include two cameras 14, 16. The two cameras 14,16 may be positioned in a stereoscopic orientation. The field of view ofone camera 14 may overlap the entirety of the field of view of the othercamera 16, or only a portion of the field of view of the other camera16, such that at least a portion of the respective fields of view areoverlapped.

Referring to FIG. 2, each camera 14, 16 may be coupled to a housing 30.The housing 30 may retain the cameras 14, 16 at a distance 32 from eachother. The housing 30 may set the cameras 14, 16 in position and definethe distance 32 between the two cameras 14, 16.

Each camera 14, 16 may be aligned along a respective axis 34, 36. Theaxes 34, 36 may be substantially parallel to each other. The cameras 14,16 may be oriented substantially co-planar with each other, beingaligned in a substantially similar horizontal, or x-dimension, plane 38extending out of the page in FIG. 3. The camera image sensors 40, 42shown in FIG. 5 may be oriented substantially co-planar with each other,being aligned in a substantially similar vertical, or y-dimension, plane44 extending out of the page in FIG. 3. The cameras 14, 16 may beoriented such that they face towards the same direction. The cameras 14,16 may be retained by the housing 30 such that the orientation of eachcamera 14, 16 is fixed. In one embodiment, either camera 14, 16 may beconfigured to be movable relative to the housing 30 and/or other camera14, 16. In one embodiment, either camera 14, 16 may not be coupled to ahousing 30. The cameras may be separable cameras able to be set up in adesired orientation, including an orientation described in regard to thecameras coupled to the housing 30.

The focal length of each camera may be set as desired, and is preferablyset such that the fields of view of the two cameras 14, 16 overlap. Inone embodiment, the focal length of each camera 14, 16 may be betweenapproximately 12 mm and 16 mm, inclusive. In one embodiment, the focallength of each camera 14, 16 may be set to be the same or substantiallysimilar. In such an embodiment, the similar or identical focal lengthmay reduce the amount of processing that is used to determine distance.In one embodiment, different focal lengths of the cameras may be used asdesired.

The camera unit 12 may be configured to be lightweight and portable. Asshown in FIG. 2, the length of the camera unit 12 may be approximately7.29 inches, and the width may be approximately 10.5 inches. The heightas shown in FIG. 3 may be approximately 2.65 inches. The dimensionsshown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are exemplary, as varied dimensions may beutilized, including a length of between approximately 5 and 10 inches, awidth of between approximately 7 and 13 inches, and a height of betweenapproximately 1 and 5 inches. In one embodiment, dimensions differentfrom those stated herein may be utilized. The housing 30 may includeattachment devices 46, 48 configured to allow the camera unit 12 toconnect to other structures or elements of the system 10. Either of theattachment devices 46, 48 may allow the camera unit 12 to be retained ina desired orientation. Either of the attachment devices 46, 48 may allowthe camera unit 12 to couple to the taking camera 22. The attachmentdevices 46, 48 may be dovetail devices as shown in FIG. 2, or may haveother forms as desired.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the camera unit 12. FIG. 5illustrates the housing 30 with a lid 50 removed. The cameras 14, 16 areshown separated into components. The internal hardware of the cameraunit 12 is visible. The cameras 14, 16 may include a respective frontwindow 54, 56, a respective lens assembly 58, 60, and a respective imagesensor 40, 42. A respective front bezel 62, 64 may secure the lensassembly 58, 60 to the housing 30. Each lens assembly 58, 60 may includea single lens, or multiple lenses. In one embodiment, the lens assembly58, 60 may include a zoom lens. In one embodiment, the lens assembly 58,60 may be configured to control the focus, zoom, and/or iris of therespective camera 14, 16. The image sensors 40, 42 may each beconfigured to capture an image of the respective field of view anddigitize it for processing. The image sensors 40, 42 may be CCD sensors,CMOS sensors, or other forms of image sensor. The image sensors 40, 42may be capable of producing resolutions of 720p, 1080i, 1080PsF, 1080p,although other resolutions may be used if desired. The image sensors arepreferably configured to capture video images. Frame rates of 23.98, 24,25, 29.97, 30, 48, 50, 59.94 and 60 may be utilized, although otherframe rates may be used if desired. In one embodiment, the cameras 14,16 may be configured to capture static images.

The cameras 14, 16 may be configured to each have a field of view ofbetween approximately 80 to 90 degrees, inclusive, in the horizontal, orx-dimension. Preferably, each camera 14, 16 has a field of view ofapproximately 90 degrees in the horizontal, or x-dimension. In oneembodiment, a lesser or greater angle for each camera 14, 16 may beutilized if desired.

In one embodiment, the features of the camera 14, 16 may be set to bethe same or substantially similar. In such an embodiment, the similar oridentical features of the cameras 14, 16 may reduce the amount ofprocessing used to determine distance.

Referring to FIG. 2, the distance 32 between the two cameras 14, 16 maybe between approximately 5 to 14 inches, inclusive. The distance 32 ispreferably approximately 8 inches. In one embodiment, a lesser orgreater distance 32 between the cameras 14, 16 may be utilized ifdesired.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the camera device 12 may include an inputdevice, and may include an output device. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, the input device and the output device are a wirelesscommunication device in the form of an antenna 66. In one embodiment,the input device and the output device may comprise connectors such asthe connectors 68 shown in FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the input deviceand output device may comprise different structures. The input devicemay be configured to receive data, and the output device may beconfigured to output data. The camera device 12 may also include powerconnectors 68 that receive power for operating the camera device 12. Thevoltage utilized by the camera device 12 may range between approximately12V and 24V, inclusive, or approximately 10V and 35V, inclusive. In oneembodiment, a lesser or greater amount of voltage may be utilized ifdesired. Power connectors 68 and other forms of connectors may begrouped together in proximity on the housing 30.

The camera device 12 may include a wireless communication card 70. Thewireless communication card 70 may operate to transmit data to and fromthe antenna 66. The wireless communication card 70 may be in the form ofa router and may operate as a network hub for wireless communicationwith other devices that may be used in the system 10. The camera device12 may include an interface device 72 for communication with the firstcamera 14 and/or the second camera 16. The interface device 72 may be inthe form of a USB card. The camera device 12 may include a power supply74 for processing and supplying power to the components of the cameradevice 12. The power may be input to the power supply 74 from the powerconnectors 68. In one embodiment, the power supply 74 may be in the formof a DC-DC converter, although other forms of power supplies 74 may beused in embodiments as desired.

The camera device 12 may include a processor card 76. The processor card76 may include a processor 77 that is configured to process images thatare received from the first camera 14 and the second camera 16. Theprocessor 77 may be used to calculate distance to a region of interest.

FIG. 6 illustrates components of the camera device 12 in position in thehousing 30, with a lid 50 of the housing 30 removed.

Referring to FIG. 7, the field of view 78 of the first camera 14, andthe field of view 80 of the second camera 16, may have a portion ofoverlapping field of view 82. In one embodiment, the field of view 84 ofthe taking camera 22 may overlap at least a portion of either field ofview 78, 80. A region of interest may be selected within the field ofview 78 and/or field of view 80. The region of interest may be any imageshown in either field of view 78, 80, such as an object or area. Theregion of interest may be a point or collection of points. In oneembodiment, the region of interest may have a defined size, such as asize of 80×80 pixels. In one embodiment, the region of interest may havea different size, or may not have a defined size, as desired.

FIG. 8 shows an example image of a field of view 78 produced by a camera14, on the left side of FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows an example image of a fieldof view 80 produced by a camera 16, on the right side of FIG. 8. Thefields of view 78, 80 overlap, as shown by the portions of the images ofthe fields of view 78, 80 that are similar in both images. The fields ofview 78, 80 are offset, as shown by the portions of the field of view 78that is not shown in the field of view 80. A region of interest 86 hasbeen selected. In one embodiment, the region of interest 86 may beselected automatically by the processor 77, or other automatic process.In one embodiment, the region of interest 86 may be selected by a user'sinput.

In one embodiment, the region of interest 86 may be selected in one ofthe fields of view 78, 80. For example, the region of interest 86 may beselected in the field of view 78, which may be referred to as a firstfield of view 78. The processor 77 may be configured to identifyfeatures of the region of interest 86, for example, the appearance ofthe selected region of interest 86, and may use an algorithm to matchthe appearance of the selected region of interest 86 in the other fieldof view 80, which may be referred to as a second field of view 80. Thealgorithm may correlate the appearance of the selected region ofinterest 86 in the first field of view 78 with the appearance of theselected region of interest 86 in the second field of view 80.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of an algorithm that may be used tocorrelate the appearance of the selected region of interest 86 in thefirst field of view 78 with the appearance of the selected region ofinterest 86 in the second field of view 80. The element “T” representsthe appearance of the image of the selected region of interest 86. Theelement “I” represents the image of the second field of view 80. The “x”and “y” elements correspond to the respective “x” and “y” dimensions ofthe fields of view as marked in FIG. 8. The “w” and “h” elementscorrespond to the width and height of the fields of view. The element“R” represents the correlation between the appearance of the selectedregion of interest 86 in the first field of view 78 with the appearanceof the selected region of interest 86 in the second field of view 80.The processor 77 may use the algorithm, scanning through the image ofthe second field of view 80, to find a peak correlation. In oneembodiment, an algorithm that differs from the algorithm shown in FIG. 9may be used by the processor 77.

In one embodiment, a matching algorithm may not be used, and a user mayidentify the selected region of interest 86 in both the first field ofview 78 and the second field of view 80.

The processor 77 may be configured to calculate a distance of the regionof interest 86 relative to a location by comparing a position of theregion of interest 86 in the first field of view 78 to the position ofthe region of interest 86 in the second field of view 80. FIG. 10, forexample, displays the relative position of the region of interest 86 asshown through the first camera 14 (top image) as compared to theposition of the region of interest 86 as shown through the second camera16 (bottom image). The processor 77 may identify the position of theregion of interest in the second field of view 80 through the matchingalgorithm discussed above, or through an alternative process if desired.The difference in the location of the region of interest 86 in the firstfield of view 78 and the second field of view 80 is the disparitybetween the locations. The difference in the location of the region ofinterest 86 may be the difference in location of the peak correlationcalculated using a matching algorithm.

The disparity may be calculated as a difference in position in thehorizontal, or x-dimension, of the region of interest 86 in the firstfield of view 78 relative to the position of the region of interest 86in the second field of view 80 in the horizontal, or x-dimension. Thedisparity may be calculated based on a difference of the pixel locationof the region of interest 86 in the first field of view 78 and thesecond field of view 80. In one embodiment, the disparity may becalculated based on a location of the region of interest 86 in the firstfield of view 78 and the second field of view 80 relative to acenterline.

The processor 77 may be configured to calculate the distance of theregion of interest 86 based on the distance between the cameras 14, 16and the disparity of the region of interest 86. As the disparityincreases, the relative distance of the region of interest 86 from thecameras 14, 16 decreases. As the distance between the cameras 14, 16increases, the apparent disparity will increase. The distancemeasurement may be based on a relationship given below, with the camerabaseline being the distance between the two cameras 14, 16 lenses, whichmay be the interocular spacing of the center of the two camera 14, 16lenses:Distance∝((camera focal length)(camera baseline))/(disparity)

A constant element of the relationship shown above may be automaticallydetermined by the processor 77, or may be input into the processor 77.The camera focal length, and camera baseline, for example, or any otherconstant elements, may be input into the processor 77 for use in itsdistance calculation. In one embodiment, the processor 77 mayautomatically detect constant elements of the relationship above, based,for example, on a particular kind of camera being utilized with thecamera device 12. In one embodiment, the processor 77 may automaticallydetect an orientation of the cameras 14, 16 and/or the distance of thecameras 14, 16 from each other. In one embodiment, the processor 77 mayinclude look-up table stored in memory, which may be used to matchstored constants with an input provided by a user. The input may be thetype of camera being utilized. In one embodiment, a memory may be usedto store any constants or other information used by the processor 77. Inone embodiment, a distance relationship may be utilized that includesdifferent constants or variables than identified above.

In one embodiment, the camera device 12 may be configured to becalibrated to allow the processor 77 to calculate the distance relativeto a location. FIG. 11, for example, illustrates a table 88 that may beused to calibrate the processor 77. In a process of calibration, a usermay set a region of interest at a defined distance. The processor 77 maydetermine the disparity of the region of interest at that distance. Theuser may input the distance that corresponds to that disparity into theprocessor 77, or the processor's memory. The user may repeat thisprocess at varying distances. After calibration, upon the processor 77calculating a disparity, it may match this disparity to the distancestored in the memory during calibration, to be able to output adistance. A calibration process may allow the processor 77 to moreeasily account for variations in any constants used to calculatedistance. Calibration data may be stored in the memory for differentconstants, such as the type of camera, camera focal length, cameraorientation or distance between the cameras, or other factors. Thecalibration data may be retrieved by the processor 77 to output adistance based on the calculated disparity.

The location that the processor 77 calculates the distance relative tomay be set by default or may be input into the processor 77, orautomatically determined by the processor 77. The location may be setduring a calibration process. In one embodiment, the location may be setas the position of the taking camera 22. The position of the takingcamera 22 may be further defined as either the lens or the sensor planeof the taking camera 22. In one embodiment, the camera device 12 may beconfigured to couple to the taking camera 22 at a defined position, andthe location may be set to be the taking camera 22 based on the definedposition. In one embodiment, the location may be input into theprocessor 77 by inputting a type of taking camera into the processor 77.The processor 77 may include a look-up table providing the position ofthe taking camera 22, or a component of the camera such as a lens orsensor plane, based on the type of taking camera 22 used. In oneembodiment, the location may be set at a different position as desired,for example a user may input the location into the processor 77.

In one embodiment, the camera device 12 may be configured to calculatethe distance of a region of interest 86 relative to a location while theregion of interest 86 moves. The processor 77 may be configured to trackthe position of the selected region of interest 86. Referring to FIG. 8,upon the region of interest 86 being selected, the processor 77 may beconfigured to determine if the region of interest 86 moves. Theprocessor 77 may determine the appearance of the region of interest 86and then identify the appearance of the region of interest 86 insuccessive frames to track movement of the region of interest 86. In oneembodiment, the processor 77 may track the region of interest 86 bycalculating if pixel data has been translated to different pixels thanthe original pixels. In one embodiment, a different process of trackingthe region of interest 86 may be used. The processor 77 may track theregion of interest 86 in each frame. In one embodiment, the processor 77may track the region of interest 86 for a defined interval of frames.

In one embodiment, a separate device, such as a control device, mayassist the processor 77 to track the region of interest 86. The separatedevice may identify movement of the region of interest 86, and theprocessor 77 may use image data from the subset of pixels representingthe region of interest 86 as the region of interest 86 moves, to trackthe movement of the region of interest 86. The image data from thesubset of pixels may be used for comparison with the image from thesecond field of view 80.

The processor 77 may be configured to track the position of the regionof interest 86 in the second field of view 80. The processor 77 maytrack the position in the second field of view 80 by matching theappearance of the region of interest 86 in the first field of view 78 tothe second field of view 80 in a process as discussed above in thisapplication. For example, the processor 77 may use an algorithm to matchthe appearance of the selected region of interest 86 in the other fieldof view 82. The algorithm may correlate the appearance of the selectedregion of interest 86 in the first field of view 78 with the appearanceof the selected region of interest 86 in the second field of view 80.The algorithm may be the algorithm shown in FIG. 9, or may be adifferent algorithm. In one embodiment, the processor 77 may track theregion of interest 86 in the second field of view 80 in a process inwhich data representing the movement of the region of interest 86 in thefirst field of view 78 is applied to calculate the movement of theregion of interest 86 in the second field of view 78. In one embodiment,a different process of tracking the region of interest 86 in the secondfield of view 78 may be used.

The processor 77 may be configured to calculate a distance of the regionof interest 86 relative to a location while the region of interest 86moves, by comparing a position of the region of interest 86 in the firstfield of view 78 to the position of the region of interest 86 in thesecond field of view 80. The distance may be calculated in a process asdiscussed above in this application. The distance may be calculated inreal-time, as the region of interest 86 moves in the first field of view78 for example. A distance may be calculated for each frame. In oneembodiment, a distance may be calculated for a defined interval offrames.

In one embodiment, the camera device 12 may be configured to calculatethe distance for a plurality of regions of interest 86. In oneembodiment, the processor 77 may be configured to track a plurality ofregions of interest 86 and to calculate the distance for a plurality ofregions of interest 86. In one embodiment, up to twelve differentregions of interest may be tracked and/or have their respectivedistances calculated. In one embodiment, a greater or lesser number ofregions of interest may be tracked and/or have their respectivedistances calculated. The distances and/or tracking of the plurality ofregions of interest may occur simultaneously. The tracking, matching,and distance processes may occur for each region of interest 86 throughsimilar processes as discussed above for the individual regions ofinterest 86. A distance may be calculated for each region of interestfor each frame. In one embodiment, a distance may be calculated for eachregion of interest for defined interval of frames. In one embodiment,the processor 77 may be configured to produce a disparity map of thedisparities for various regions of interest 86.

The camera device 12 may be configured to output the distance data thatthe processor 77 has calculated.

In one embodiment, the processor 77 may be positioned external tohousing 30.

In one embodiment, the distance calculations may be performed usingcameras 12, 14 that are not coupled to the housing 30, and/or arepositioned in a different orientation than shown in FIG. 2 or 7 forexample. The different orientation of the cameras 12, 14 may be utilizedby the processor 77 in its distance calculations, for example, adifferent camera baseline value may be used.

FIG. 12 illustrates a table representing the resolution of the cameras14, 16 of the camera device 12 at certain defined distances from thecamera device 12. FIG. 13 illustrates a graph of the resolution of thecameras 14, 16 of the camera device 12 at certain defined distances fromthe camera device 12. The data shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 represents oneembodiment of the camera device 12, and other resolutions may occur inother embodiments of the camera device 12.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the system 10 may include a control device 18.The control device 18 may be configured to allow a user to select aregion of interest. The control data from the control device 18 may beinput into the camera device 12 and received by the processor 77. Thecontrol device 18 may be connected to the camera device 12 or may beconfigured to communicate with the camera device 12 wirelessly. Thewireless communication device of the camera device 12 may be used tocommunicate with the control device 18. The control device 18 mayinclude a wireless communication device to communicate with anycomponent of the system 10.

FIG. 14 illustrates a close-up view of the control device 18. Thecontrol device 18 may be configured as a handheld device, or may beconfigured as any device configured to control operation of the cameradevice 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the control device 18 isa tablet computer, although other forms of computers may be used ifdesired, such as a laptop computer. The control device 18 may include adisplay 90. The display 90 may be configured to display an image of thefields of view 78, 80 from either of the respective cameras 14, 16,and/or a field of view 82 of the taking camera 22. In one embodiment,the display 90 may be configured to display an overlapping portion ofthe fields of view 78, 80, and/or an overlapping portion of the field ofview 82 of the taking camera 22.

In one embodiment, the control device 18 may be configured to produce anindicator 92 that indicates an overlap of any of the fields of views 78,80, 84. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, for example, the indicator92 indicates the overlap of the taking camera 22 field of view 84 andthe first field of view 78. In one embodiment, an overlap between thefirst field of view 78 and the second field of view 80, and/or anoverlap between the taking camera 22 field of view 84 and the secondfield of view 80 may be indicated. The indicator 92 may take the form ofa box on the display 90 as shown in FIG. 14, although in otherembodiments other forms of indicators 92 may be used as desired.

The control device 18 may include a touch screen 94 configured for auser to select a region of interest 86. A user may touch a portion ofthe image from any of the fields of views 78, 80, 84 that displays thedesired region of interest 86 to select the region of interest 86. Theuser may unselect the desired region of interest 86 by touching theimage of the region of interest again. In one embodiment, the controldevice 18 may include facial recognition processes to automaticallyidentify facial features in any of the fields of views 78, 80, 84. Thecontrol device 18 may be configured to automatically select regions ofinterest 86 corresponding to those facial features, or may be configuredto suggest regions of interest 86 to the user that correspond to thosefacial features. In one embodiment, the control device 18 may utilize analternative method of selecting regions of interest 86, for example, thecontrol device 18 may be configured to respond to a marker used toindicate the region of interest 86. The marker may be a physicalstructure positioned at the region of interest 86, or may be a lightdevice such as a laser beam aimed at the region of interest 86, or mayhave another form.

The control device 18 may select multiple regions of interest 86, eitherautomatically or based on user selection. In an embodiment in which thecontrol device 18 includes a touch screen 94, the user may touchmultiple portions of the image from any of the fields of views 78, 80,84 to select the region of interest 86. In one embodiment, up to twelvedifferent regions of interest may be selected. In one embodiment, agreater or lesser number of regions of interest may be selected.

The control device 18 may be configured to produce an indicator 96 thatindicates the regions of interest 86 that have been selected. Theindicator 96 may take the form of a box on the display 90 as shown inFIG. 14, although in other embodiments other forms of indicators 96 maybe used as desired. Additional indicators 98, 100 may be used toindicate the multiple regions of interest 86 that have been selected. Inan embodiment in which the processor 77 tracks the movement of a singleor multiple regions of interests 86, the corresponding indicators 96,98, 100 may move with the regions of interest 86.

The control device 18 may be configured to display a distance calculatedby the processor 77. The distance may be provided on the display 90. Inan embodiment in which the processor 77 provides real time calculationsof the distance, the distance displayed on the control device 18 may beupdated in real time as well. Multiple distances may be displayed, eachcorresponding to multiple regions of interest. The control device 18 maydisplay a distance outside of an overlapping portion of the fields ofview 78, 80, 84. For example, in FIG. 14 a distance is shown for theindicator 100, which is outside of the field of view 84 of the takingcamera 22. This distance may be displayed such that the distance to thisregion of interest is already displayed, should the field of view 84 ofthe taking camera 22 be moved to cover this region of interest.

The control device 18 may be configured to receive an input ofproperties of the cameras 14, 16, or properties of the taking camera 22.The properties may include the focal length of any of the cameras, thefield of view of any of the cameras, the distance between the cameras14, 16, the focus, the iris, and/or the zoom of any of the cameras,and/or type of camera or lens being used, among other properties. Thecontrol device 18 may be configured to receive input of the locationthat the processor 77 calculates a distance relative to. The controldevice 18 may be configured for a user to input this data into thecontrol device 18.

In one embodiment, the control device 18 may be configured to controlproperties of the cameras 14, 16, including the focus, iris, and/or zoomof the cameras 14, 16. The control device 18 may be configured such thata user has touch screen control of the properties, including focus,iris, and/or zoom. The control device 18 may be configured to displaythese properties.

The control device 18 may be configured to display multiple screens ofimages providing information about the system 10. For instance, onescreen as shown in FIG. 14 may display video images of the field of view78 from the camera 14. The control device 18 may display another screenthat provides information regarding the focus, iris, and/or zoom of thecameras 14, 16. The control device 18 may be configured such that a usermay change the screen that is displayed on the control device 18.

In one embodiment, the processes of the control device 18 may beembodied in a program that is operated by a processor of the controldevice 18. The program may be embodied in a non-transitory machinereadable medium. The program may be stored in a memory of the controldevice 18. The program may be configured to be downloadable by thecontrol device 18. The program may be an application or “app” operatedby the control device 18. The control device 18 for example may be atablet computer such as an iPad sold by Apple, or a Galaxy sold bySamsung, and the processes of the control device 18 discussed herein maybe loaded onto the control device 18. The program may cause theprocessor of the control device 18 to effect the processes discussedherein.

In one embodiment, the control device 18 may be coupled to the housing30 of the camera device 12. In one embodiment, the control device 18 maybe integrated within the camera device 12. For example, in oneembodiment, a control device 18 integrated within the camera device 12may serve to automatically detect facial features or other desiredfeatures of the region of interest.

The control device 18 may be configured to communicate with the cameradevice 12 either wirelessly or through a wired connection. The controldevice 18 may output the selection of the region of interest, theproperties of the cameras 14, 16, and/or properties of the taking camera22 to the camera device 12 or another element of the system 10. Thecontrol device 18 may also output the control of the cameras 14, 16 tothe camera device 12. The control device 18 may receive data from thecontrol device 18 or other element of the system 10.

In one embodiment, the control device 18 may assist the processor 77 intracking movement of the region of interest, or multiple regions ofinterest in a field of view. The control device 12 may be configured toprovide data to the processor 77 about the position of the selectedregion of interest while it moves. For instance, facial recognitionfeatures identified by the control device 18 may be provided to theprocessor 77 to assist the processor 77 in tracking movement of theregion of interest.

The control device 18 may be configured to be lightweight and portable,to allow an operator of the control device 18 to more easily move aboutwhile operating the camera device 12.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the system 10 may include a display device 20configured to display a distance to a region of interest calculated bythe processor of the system 10, or distances to multiple regions ofinterest. The display device 20 may be connected to the camera device 12or may be configured to communicate with the camera device 12wirelessly. The wireless communication device of the camera device 12may be used to communicate with the display device 20. The displaydevice 20 may include a wireless communication device to communicatewith any other component of the system 10.

FIG. 15 illustrates a close-up view of the display device 20. Thedisplay device 20 may be configured as a handheld device, or may beconfigured as any device configured to display a distance to a region ofinterest. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the control device 18 is amobile communication device, although other forms of devices may be usedif desired. The control device 18 may be a mobile communication devicesuch as an iPhone, iPod, or other mobile devices. The display device 20may include a display 104. The display 104 may be configured to displaya distance to a region of interest.

The display device 20 may be configured to display a single distance, ormultiple distances calculated by the processor 77. The display device 20may be configured to display the distance or distances as the processor77 calculates the distances in real time, as the region or regions ofinterest move. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, a multiline displayshows distances calculated to different regions of interest. Thedistances may be divided into primary and secondary regions of interest.The distances may be shown as a numerical value. In one embodiment,another form of indicator of distance may be used, such as a table,chart, or other representative diagram, among others.

The display device 20 may be configured to be lightweight and portable.In one embodiment, the display device 20 may be configured to beintegrated within the camera device 12. In one embodiment, the displaydevice 20 may be configured to be coupled to any element of the system10. FIG. 16, for example, illustrates an embodiment of a display device106 coupled to a taking camera 22. The distance to the region ofinterest is indicated on the right side of the display device as beingten feet.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the system may include a display device 24 inthe form of an overlay device, for overlaying a distance calculated bythe processor 77 on an image from a taking camera 22, or distances tomultiple regions of interest. The display device 24 may be connected tothe camera device 12 or may be configured to communicate with the cameradevice 12 wirelessly. The wireless communication device of the cameradevice 12 may be used to communicate with the display device 24. Thedisplay device 24 may include a wireless communication device tocommunicate with any other component of the system 10.

FIG. 17 illustrates a close-up view of the display device 24, with a lid108 of a housing 110 separated from the remainder of the housing 110,and other components of the display device 24 separated. The displaydevice 24 may include power connectors 112 that receive power foroperating the display device 24. The display device 24 may include dataconnectors 114 for receiving cabled data from elements of the system 10,including images from the taking camera 22. The display device 24 mayinclude an input device, and may include an output device. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 17, the input device and the output device area wireless communication device in the form of an antenna 116. In oneembodiment, the input device and the output device may compriseconnectors such as the connectors 114. In one embodiment, the inputdevice and output device may comprise different structures.

The display device 24 may include an overlay processor card 118. Theprocessor card 118 may include a processor 120 that is configured tooverlay the distances calculated from the processor 77 on other imagesfrom other cameras. The processor 120 may receive the distance data fromthe camera device 12 and receive the image from the taking camera 22 forexample, and match the distance data to the image. Referring to FIG. 1,the display device 24 may produce indicators that indicate the regionsof interest 86 that have been selected. The indicator may take the formof a box as shown in FIG. 1, although in other embodiments other formsof indicators may be used as desired. In an embodiment in which theprocessor 77 tracks the movement of a single or multiple regions ofinterests 86, the corresponding indicators may move with the regions ofinterest 86.

The display device 24 may display the distance or distances calculatedby the processor 77 on another display device 28. The distance may beprovided on a display of the display device 28. In an embodiment inwhich the processor 77 provides real time calculations of the distance,the distance displayed on the display device 28 may be updated in realtime as well. Multiple distances may be displayed, each corresponding tomultiple regions of interest. The display device 24 may be configured todisplay only the image in the field of view of the taking camera 22. Asshown in FIG. 1, the image on the display device 28 matches the imageshown within the indicator 92 shown in FIG. 14.

The display device 24 may be configured to be lightweight and portable.FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate the length of the display device 24 may beapproximately 7.37 inches, with a length of the housing 110 beingapproximately 6.75 inches. The width may be approximately 4.75 inches.The height as shown in FIG. 19 may be approximately 1.35 inches. Thedimensions shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 are exemplary, as varied dimensionsmay be utilized, including a total length of between approximately 5 and10 inches, a width of between approximately 2 and 7 inches, and a heightof between approximately 1 and 3 inches. In one embodiment, dimensionsdifferent from those stated herein may be utilized.

Any of the display devices discussed herein may display data associatedwith taking camera 22 and/or cameras 14, 16 of the camera device 12,such as the make, zoom, iris, and focus of the cameras.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the system may include a camera controller 26configured to control operation of the cameras 14, 16. The cameracontroller 26 may be configured to operate features of the cameras 14,16 including lens control such as iris, focus, and/or zoom. The cameracontroller 26 may be configured to operate both cameras 14, 16simultaneously such that the features of the cameras 14, 16 are similar.In one embodiment, the camera controller 26 may be operated via thecontrol device 18.

In one embodiment, the camera controller 26 may be configured to controlthe taking camera 22 and/or the cameras 14, 16. The camera controller 26may be configured to operate features of the taking camera 22 includinglens control such as iris, focus, and/or zoom, such that these featuresof the taking camera 22 match the features of the cameras 14, 16. In oneembodiment, the camera controller 26 may be configured to automaticallyadjust the focus of the taking camera 22 based on the distancemeasurements provided by the camera device 12.

The camera controller 26 may be connected to the camera device 12 or maybe configured to communicate with the camera device 12 wirelessly. Thewireless communication device of the camera device 12 may be used tocommunicate with the camera controller 26. The camera controller 26 mayinclude a wireless communication device to communicate with any othercomponent of the system 10. The camera controller 26 may include a wiredor wireless connection to the taking camera 22.

In one embodiment, the camera controller 26 may be a motor driver. Themotor driver may be a Preston MDR, or other kinds of motor drivers.

The system 10 may include a taking camera 22 that is configured toproduce an image in a field of view that overlaps the fields of view ofthe cameras 14, 16. The image may be a static image, or may be a videoimage. The taking camera 22 may be of a style that is typically used tofilm television or motion pictures, and may be a digital or film camera.The taking camera 22 may be configured to output an HD image. The takingcamera may include, but is not limited to, an Arri Alexa, a Red Epic, aSony F55, a Sony F65, a Genesis, and a Panavision film camera, amongother kinds of taking cameras.

In one embodiment, the taking camera 22 may be utilized in a definedorientation relative to the camera device 12. For example, the takingcamera 22 may be oriented such that the lens of the taking camera 22 isoriented substantially parallel to the respective axes 34, 36 of one orboth of the cameras 14, 16. The taking camera 22 may be orientedsubstantially co-planar with one or both of the cameras 14, 16, beingaligned in a substantially similar horizontal, or x-dimension, plane 38extending out of the page in FIG. 3. The camera sensor of the takingcamera 22 may be oriented substantially co-planar with the sensors ofone or both of the cameras 14, 16, being aligned in a substantiallysimilar vertical, or y-dimension, plane 44 extending out of the page inFIG. 3. The taking camera 22 may be oriented such that it faces towardsthe same direction of one or both cameras 14, 16. In one embodiment, thetaking camera 22 may be oriented in the manner shown in FIG. 7, with thetaking camera 22 positioned between the two cameras 14, 16. The field ofview 84 of the taking camera 22 may be positioned centrally and overlapthe respective fields of view 78, 80 of the cameras 14, 16.

The taking camera 22 may be coupled to the camera device 12 to retainthe desired orientation of the taking camera 22 relative to the cameradevice 12. In one embodiment, the taking camera 22 may be separate fromthe camera device 12. Any of the display devices 20, 24, 28, 106 or thecontrol device 18 discussed herein may be coupled to the taking camera22 as desired.

The calculation of distance performed by the system 10 and/or devices ofthe system may be used to set the focus of the taking camera 22. Duringfilming, it is pertinent to readily ascertain the distance to regions ofinterest, to determine how to efficiently set focus of a taking camera22 to those regions. The system, devices, and processes discussed hereinimprove the ability to readily ascertain distance, and thus improve theability to set the focus of a taking camera 22. In one embodiment, thefocus of the taking camera 22 may be set by a user, based on thedistance calculations provided by the camera device 12. The user maydetermine the distance calculations by reviewing the output from one ofthe display devices, or the control device, or another device associatedwith the system 10. For example, the user may view the distance ondisplay device 28, which shows an overlay of the calculated distance andthe image from the taking camera 22. The user may be an individual suchas a camera assistant. In one embodiment, the focus of the taking camera22 may be set automatically based on the distance calculations providedby the camera device 12. For example, the camera controller 26, or otherdevice of the system 10, may automatically adjust the focus.

Additional benefits of the system 10, devices, and processes discussedherein include the ability to select regions of interest based on theirappearance, including facial recognition. Additional benefits includethe ability to track location of a region or regions of interest as theymove. Additional benefits include real time calculations of the distanceto a region or regions of interest, which may occur during movement.

The system 10, devices, and processes discussed herein, represent amarked improvement over prior methods of determining distance, includinguse of acoustic or infrared measurement devices.

Elements of the system 10 may beneficially appear as part of a normalcamera system, enhancing the ease of use and marketability of thesystem. For example, the camera device 12, control device 18, and/ordisplay devices may be coupled to the taking camera 22 to reduce thetotal number of parts used. Elements of the system 10 may be madeportable and preferably lightweight. In one embodiment, the cameradevice 12 may have a weight of less than approximately four pounds. Inone embodiment, the display device 24 may have a weight of less than twopounds.

The system 10 may operate at a distance of between approximately 1 footand 45 feet, although additional ranges may be utilized as well. Thesystem 10 may beneficially operate at a distance that is with theaccuracy of the depth-of-field of the taking camera 22. The system 10may operate at a luminance level between very dark and bright light,approximately between 10 lux and 25,000 lux. Other luminance levels maybe utilized as well.

FIG. 20 illustrates one embodiment of hardware configuration of thecamera device 12 and the display device 24. Other hardwareconfigurations may be used in other embodiments. The camera device 12may use a processor card 76. In one embodiment, the processor card 76may include up to 2 gigabytes of internal memory, and up to 16 gigabytesof flash memory. In other embodiments, other forms of processor cards 76may be utilized. In one embodiment, the interface device 72 may be inthe form of a PCT USB3 card. In other embodiments, other forms ofinterface devices may be utilized. The display device 24 may use anoverlay processor card 118. In one embodiment, the overlay processorcard 76 may include an HD-SDI input, and an HD-SDI output. In otherembodiments, other forms of processor cards 76 may be utilized. Thedisplay device 24 may include a wireless communication card 122, and apower supply 124.

In one embodiment, the cameras 14, 16 may be configured for binning,windowing and high-speed readout. The cameras 14, 16 may include animage sensor having up to 5 mega-pixels. The cameras 14, 16 may beconfigured to produce up to 33 images per second, or up to 15 images persecond depending on the resolution desired. In other embodiments, thefeatures of the cameras 14, 16 may be varied as desired.

FIG. 21 illustrates one embodiment of wired connections between elementsof system 10. Cables may be used to perform the wired connections.Cables for transferring image data may be in the form of HD-SDI cables,although other forms of cables may be used as desired. Power cables maysupply power from a battery pack 126, although other forms of powersupply may be used as desired.

FIG. 22 illustrates one embodiment of a process map for determining adistance to a region of interest. The process 128 may occur with theselection of one or more regions of interest. Process 128 may occurthrough use of the control device 18. The process 128 may include aprocess of facial feature detection, or detection of track marks. Theprocess 130 may occur through use of the camera device 12. The cameradevice 12 may match the selected region or regions of interest in thefirst field of view with the second field of view. The camera device 12may perform disparity calculations. Process 132 may occur throughparameters of the system 10 or the cameras of the camera device 12 beinginput to the camera device 12. Such parameters may include features suchas camera baseline, camera focal length, and other features basedherein. The process 134 may occur through the camera device 12calculating the distance or distances to a region or region of interestbased on the disparity calculations, and the parameters input in process132. The process 136 may occur through control device 18 or displaydevice 24 overlaying a distance on an image from one of the cameras 12,14 or 22. The process of FIG. 22 may be modified to include or excludesteps, and may include any process discussed herein.

FIG. 23 illustrates one embodiment of a process to transfer data to andfrom the camera controller 26. An element of the system 10 may requestfocus, zoom, and/or iris data from the camera controller 26. The datamay represent the status of the camera device 12 and/or the takingcamera 22. The process shown in FIG. 23 may be modified or excluded asdesired. FIG. 24 illustrates one embodiment of a process to transferdistance data to the camera controller 26. The process shown in FIG. 23may be modified or excluded as desired.

Embodiments disclosed herein may include the following processes.Additional processes disclosed herein may be incorporated into the stepslisted below:

A method of adjusting focus of a camera may comprise: selecting, with acontrol device, a region of interest in a first field of view of a firstcamera; calculating, with a processor, a distance of the selected regionof interest relative to a location by comparing a position of theselected region of interest in the first field of view with a positionof the selected region of interest in a second field of view of a secondcamera, the second field of view overlapping at least a portion of thefirst field of view; and adjusting a focus of a third camera on theselected region of interest based on the distance calculated with theprocessor.

The method may include a control device including a touch screenconfigured to display an image of the first field of view produced bythe first camera, the region of interest being selected by a usertouching a portion of the touch screen that displays the region ofinterest in the image.

The method may include the first camera and the second camera each beingcoupled to a housing that retains the first camera and the second cameraat a distance from each other.

The method may include a step of calculating that further comprisescalculating the distance of the selected region of interest relative tothe location based on the distance between the first camera and thesecond camera.

The method may further comprise a step of displaying the distancecalculated with the processor on an overlay of an image produced by thethird camera.

The method may further comprise a step of tracking, with the processor,the position of the selected region of interest in the first field ofview while the selected region of interest moves in the first field ofview.

The method may include a step of calculating that further comprisescalculating the distance of the selected region of interest relative tothe location in real time while the selected region of interest moves inthe first field of view.

The method may further comprise a step of displaying the distancecalculated with the processor in real time while the selected region ofinterest moves in the first field of view.

The method may include a step of displaying that further comprisesoverlaying the distance calculated with the processor in real time on animage produced by the third camera while the selected region of interestmoves in the first field of view.

The method may include the image produced by the third camera is a videoimage displaying the selected region of interest moving.

Embodiments disclosed herein may include the following apparatus.Additional features disclosed herein may be incorporated into theapparatus listed below:

An apparatus for determining a distance to a region of interestcomprising: a housing; a first camera coupled to the housing andoriented to have a first field of view; a second camera coupled to thehousing and oriented to have a second field of view that overlaps atleast a portion of the first field of view; and a processor coupled tothe housing and configured to calculate a distance of a selected regionof interest relative to a location by comparing a position of theselected region of interest in the first field of view with a positionof the selected region of interest in the second field of view.

The apparatus may be configured wherein the first camera is alignedalong a first longitudinal axis and the second camera is aligned along asecond longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the firstlongitudinal axis.

The apparatus may be configured wherein the first camera has a firstimage sensor and the second camera has a second image sensor, the firstimage sensor being positioned substantially coplanar with the secondimage sensor.

The apparatus may be configured wherein the first camera has a focallength of between approximately 12 millimeters and 16 millimeters,inclusive, and the second camera has a focal length of betweenapproximately 12 millimeters and 16 millimeters, inclusive.

The apparatus may be configured wherein the first field of view includesa horizontal dimension and a vertical dimension, and the second field ofview includes a horizontal dimension and a vertical dimension; and theprocessor is further configured to calculate the distance of theselected region of interest relative to the location by comparing theposition of the selected region of interest in the horizontal dimensionof the first field of view with the position of the selected region ofinterest in the horizontal dimension of the second field of view.

The apparatus may be configured wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to track the position of the selected region of interest inthe first field of view while the selected region of interest moves inthe first field of view.

The apparatus may be configured wherein the processor is configured tocalculate the distance of the selected region of interest relative tothe location in real time while the selected region of interest moves inthe first field of view.

The apparatus may further comprise an input device coupled to thehousing and configured for receiving data indicating the selected regionof interest.

The apparatus may be configured wherein the input device is a wirelesscommunication device.

The apparatus may further comprise an output device coupled to thehousing and configured for outputting data indicating the distancecalculated by the processor.

In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the presentspecification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, oneskilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosedembodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subjectmatter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that thedisclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particularmethodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such,various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of thedisclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachingsherein without departing from the spirit of the present specification.Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope ofsystems, apparatuses, and methods as disclosed herein, which is definedsolely by the claims. Accordingly, the systems, apparatuses, and methodsare not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Certain embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods are describedherein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying outthe same. Of course, variations on these described embodiments willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading theforegoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employsuch variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for thesystems, apparatuses, and methods to be practiced otherwise thanspecifically described herein. Accordingly, the systems, apparatuses,and methods include all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the systems, apparatuses,and methods unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the systems,apparatuses, and methods are not to be construed as limitations. Eachgroup member may be referred to and claimed individually or in anycombination with other group members disclosed herein. It is anticipatedthat one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from,a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any suchinclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain thegroup as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markushgroups used in the appended claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic,item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in thepresent specification and claims are to be understood as being modifiedin all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about”means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, orterm so qualified encompasses an approximation that may vary. The terms“approximate[ly]” and “substantial[ly]” represent an amount that mayvary from the stated amount, yet is capable of performing the desiredoperation or process discussed herein.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context ofdescribing the systems, apparatuses, and methods (especially in thecontext of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context. All methods described herein can be performedin any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwiseclearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, orexemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merelyto better illuminate the systems, apparatuses, and methods and does notpose a limitation on the scope of the systems, apparatuses, and methodsotherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the systems, apparatuses, and methods.

All patents, patent publications, and other publications referenced andidentified in the present specification are individually and expresslyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose ofdescribing and disclosing, for example, the compositions andmethodologies described in such publications that might be used inconnection with the systems, apparatuses, and methods. Thesepublications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to thefiling date of the present application. Nothing in this regard should beconstrued as an admission that the inventors are not entitled toantedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any otherreason. All statements as to the date or representation as to thecontents of these documents is based on the information available to theapplicants and does not constitute any admission as to the correctnessof the dates or contents of these documents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for determining a distance to a regionof interest comprising: a first camera having a first field of view; asecond camera having a second field of view that overlaps a portion ofthe first field of view; and a processor that calculates a distance of aselected region of interest in the overlapping portion of the first andsecond fields of view relative to a location by comparing a position ofthe selected region of interest in the first field of view with aposition of the selected region of interest in the second field of view;wherein the processor identifies the position of the selected region ofinterest in the second field of view by correlating an appearance of theselected region of interest in the first field of view with anappearance of the selected region of interest in the second field ofview.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing attached tothe first camera and the second camera.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the first and second cameras are positioned a distance apartfrom one another, and wherein the processor is configured to calculatethe distance of the selected region of interest using the distancebetween the first camera and the second camera.
 4. The system of claim1, further comprising a device that provides the distance to a user. 5.The system of claim 1, further comprising a third camera that producesan image in a field of view that overlaps the fields of view of one orboth of the first and second cameras.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe image comprises a video image.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein:each of the first and second fields of view include a horizontaldimension and a vertical dimension; and the processor calculates thedistance of the selected region of interest relative to the location bycomparing the position of the selected region of interest in thehorizontal dimension of the first field of view with the position of theselected region of interest in the horizontal dimension of the secondfield of view.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor tracksthe position of the selected region of interest in the first field ofview while the selected region of interest moves in the first field ofview.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor tracks theposition of the selected region of interest in the second field of viewby correlating an appearance of the selected region of interest in thefirst field of view with an appearance of the selected region ofinterest in the second field of view.
 10. The system of claim 1, whereinthe processor calculates the distance of the selected region of interestrelative to the location in real time while the selected region ofinterest moves in the first field of view.
 11. The system of claim 1further comprising a control device for selecting the region of interestin the overlapping portion of the first and second fields of view. 12.The system of claim 1 further comprising a device for selecting aplurality of regions of interest in the overlapping first and secondfields of view wherein the processor calculates a distance for each ofthe plurality of selected regions of interest relative to a location bycomparing a position of each of the plurality of selected regions ofinterest in the first field of view with a position of a correspondingplurality of selected regions of interest in the second field of view.13. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device includes a touchscreen to display an image of the first field of view produced by thefirst camera and enable a user to select the region of interest bytouching a portion of the touch screen that displays the region ofinterest in the image.
 14. A method for determining a distance to aregion of interest comprising the steps of: projecting a first field ofview from a first camera and a second field of view from a second camerasuch that there is an overlapping portion of the first and second fieldsof view; selecting a region of interest in the overlapping portion; anddetermining a distance of the selected region of interest relative to alocation by identifying the position of the selected region of interestin the second field of view by correlating an appearance of the selectedregion of interest in the first field of view with an appearance of theselected region of interest in the second field of view.
 15. The methodas recited in claim 14 wherein during the step of projecting, the firstcamera is positioned a distance apart from the second camera.
 16. Themethod as recited in claim 14 wherein during the step of projecting,each of the first and second fields of view include a horizontaldimension and a vertical dimension.
 17. The method as recited in claim14 wherein during the step of determining, comparing a position of theselected region of interest in the horizontal dimension of the firstfield of view with a position of the selected region of interest in thehorizontal dimension of the second field of view.
 18. The method asrecited in claim 14 wherein during the step of determining, a distancebetween the positions of the first and second cameras is used.
 19. Themethod as recited in claim 14 wherein the region of interest moves inone of the first or second fields of view, and wherein during the stepof determining, the distance of the selected region as it moves isdetermined.
 20. A system for determining a distance to a region ofinterest comprising: a first camera having a first field of view; asecond camera having a second field of view that overlaps a portion ofthe first field of view; and a processor that calculates a distance of aselected region of interest in the overlapping portion of the first andsecond fields of view relative to a location by comparing a position ofthe selected region of interest in the first field of view with aposition of the selected region of interest in the second field of view;wherein the processor calculates the distance of the selected region ofinterest relative to the location in real time while the selected regionof interest moves in the first field of view.